Show ContentsBolder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bolder is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a sifter of meal. Other evidence suggests that the surname Bolder was established as an area called Boulder. From there people acquired the surname. The name is also derived from the Old English word bulder which means boulder or cobblestone. Alternatively the name could have been derived from the word bolter which was a miller. Boulter's Lock and Boutler's Island are both located on the River Thames on the eastern side of Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Early Origins of the Bolder family

The surname Bolder was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Bolder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bolder research. Another 33 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1272, 1635, 1671, 1672, 1694, 1698, 1701, 1709, 1719, 1724 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Bolder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bolder Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bolder include Boulter, Bolter, Boulder, Bolteir and others.

Early Notables of the Bolder family

Distinguished members of the family include Edmund Boulter (c.1635-1709), a London merchant and politician, Sheriff of London (1694); Edmund Boulter (c. 1635-1709), a London merchant and politician, Sheriff of London in July 1694, Member of Parliament for Boston (1698-1701); and Dr. Hugh Boulter (1672-1742), Church...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bolder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bolder family to Ireland

Some of the Bolder family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Bolder migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bolder Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Frances Bolder, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Bolder (post 1700) +

  • Trevor Bolder (1950-2013), English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his long work with Uriah Heep and David Bowie


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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